Parties spar over Senate defense vote

A U.S. Army soldier from Task Force Denali Platoon 1-40 CAV fires a 60mm mortar towards the mountain while Afghan army soldiers cover their ears during a patrol at Nadir-Chawcod district in Khowst province. (Zohra Bensemra/Reuters)

By Ben Pershing
With tensions running high in the Senate amid a grueling schedule, Democrats are trying to make political hay out of Republicans' failed effort to filibuster the defense spending bill.

The Senate voted at 1 a.m. Friday to invoke cloture on the $626 billion measure funding the Pentagon, a key procedural step that will allow the chamber to vote on final passage Saturday morning. The motion passed, 63-33, with just three Republicans joining every Senate Democrat to move the debate forward.

Within hours of the vote, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee was seeking to make Republicans up for reelection pay for their opposition, blasting out releases to the homestate media of Sens. Richard Burr (N.C.), Jim DeMint (S.C.), Charles Grassley (Iowa) and David Vitter (La.).

"IN DEAD OF NIGHT, RICHARD BURR VOTES TO BLOCK FEDERAL FUNDS FOR TROOPS, MILITARY PAY INCREASES," read the headline of the DSCC's North Carolina release , which added that Burr "put partisan politics above funding our troops by voting to support a filibuster" of the defense measure.

It has become commonplace in recent years for each party on Capitol Hill to accuse the other of disrespecting the military based on how lawmakers vote on the annual defense spending bill or the supplemental measures that have been used to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In June, for example, nearly every House Republican voted against a supplemental war funding bill because it also contained money they opposed for the International Monetary Fund. Democrats accused the GOP of voting against the troops, while Republicans alleged Democrats were passing controversial legislation on the backs of American soldiers.

In the case of Friday morning's vote, Senate Republicans voted against cloture not because they opposed the defense spending bill but rather so they could maintain a united front against Democrats' efforts to pass a health-care bill before Christmas. The longer it takes the chamber to consider the defense bill, the longer it will be before the Senate returns to health care. And in that context, Republicans see their votes as easily defensible.

"I can't blame [Democrats] for trying to distract from the health care debate which has become politically disastrous for them," said Brian Walsh, spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. "But all of these Senators have very strong records on supporting our military. People recognize that this filibuster was about slowing the Democrats' massive government health-care bill which Harry Reid is intent on ramming through the Senate before Christmas."

Nearly every Senate Republican is expected to vote for the defense bill on final passage, and Stuart Rothenberg, editor of the Rothenberg Political Report, said he doubted whether any of the four targeted Republicans would be badly hurt by Democrats' accusations simply because of one procedural vote.

"They all have reputations and images, and if they have reputations, it's for being willing to vote for ... all military spending," Rothenberg said. "I think it's difficult to paint them as not supportive of the troops."

But Democrats' current message goes beyond just Friday morning's vote. The majority is attempting to paint the minority's entire approach to the health-care debate as obstructionist, with the defense cloture vote being just the latest example.

"We are here in the middle of the night, but the reason is as clear as day: Senate Republicans so desperately want to turn their backs on Americans who are suffering and dying for want of decent health care, that they are threatening to turn their backs on America's troops at wartime," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said on the chamber floor. "Rarely has the Senate seen such a sad statement. Rarely have I seen such brazen irresponsibility. And rarely have our nation's citizens received such little regard from their leaders."

Republicans believe the obstructionist charge will be more than outweighed by their argument that Democrats are rushing a vital bill through the Senate with little scrutiny.

"The Majority Leader has signaled that he will finally unveil the most significant piece of domestic legislation in modern history some time on Saturday -- and force a vote in the middle of the night about 36 hours later," said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)

After Obongo and his side kick Dr Evil with her pinky up yelling 100 billion dollars in Copenhagen for an apocolypto mindset to please the earth god flea circus show, the Democrats shrunk in half again.
10% of the people are remaining in the Party.

After Obongo and his side kick Dr Evil with her pinky up yelling 100 billion dollars in Copenhagen for an apocolypto mindset to please the earth god flea circus show, the Democrats shrunk in half again.
10% of the people are remaining in the Party.

Why are the evil and dark Democrats holding troop money hostages to dismantle the USA with taxation without representation for the Unborn?
Troops are saying they do not want money only to lose the US Constitutional Republic in the deal.

What has happened to the Republican party? I am disgusted that they would hold our brave soldiers hostage over something as petty as partisan politics. Those men and women are facing REAL warfare, and all these 37 egomaniacs can think of is partisan warfare.

The Republicans invented the ridiculous argument that if you oppose something they want you are committing "treason" and not supporting the troops. Don't give me this "both parties do it" malarky. Now the Republicans are truly playing partisan right-wing politics with our troops and the media cast this as a transparent political ploy BY THE DEMOCRATS! This is yet another example of how the corporate-wing Republican noise machine. Liberal media my a**.

Insurance company pimps are getting more and more impatient with the do-nothing republicans as the monumental defeat of healthcare reform looms. Insurance company pimps gave marching orders to do-nothing republicans to do nothing unless they were told to do so by their pimps.

Insurance company pimps included voting on a bill to fund U.S Armed forces in the field as work that was not authorized for their flunkies to do. They were not happy to see their lapdogs waste time on business not sanctioned by their pimps.

I don't understand why people are upset, if Obama is the anti-Christ then he is god sent. I thought that is what the fascist-christian right wanted, the end of the world. So if you do believe he is the anti-Christ it is your christian duty not to obstruct him since he will bring the end of days. More too the point what the hell does the fact that he is the anti-Christ have to do with health care and the senate.

33 snakes in the grass, slithering around. It is time to (electorally) cut their heads off with a shovel. These creatures serve no one but themselves. They just can't keep their heads on straight when times get exciting. Unlike my guy, Obama, who keeps pointing in the right direction. All you sneering Obama haters take a hike.

Sunbun, you're right. BUT..
Obama isn't just a communist fascist muslim Hitler, he's also a capitalist pig supporting the banks and Wall Street against the people, and a far leftist intent on destroying the government, values, and people of our country. Thank God we have Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin to tell us this.
In fact, the man is known to keep a copy of the Bible, so he is an ignorant, rightwing fundamentalist whacko, and I've heard, considers himself of black, white, American, African, Asian(Hawaii)heritage. We know what that means. Plus, in South Carolina, I hear tell, they call him a liar, and at least one individual down there is set to destroy his presidency because he wants (and this is a laugh) to "reform" our real American (love it or leave it)health care home visits by your personal doctor system that we now have and illegal immigrants want.
I could say more, but I won't; let the tea baggers speak for me from here on..

no one on the hill cares about the truth..they twist everything to try and get reelected. I'm voting against anyone who is in there now, the dumos and repugos. Let's get some folks who care about America and its people.

Spread the word people. The mark of the beast on your forehead is when you accept the Anti-Christ through blind faith... People Obama is the Anti-Christ that you have all read about. You have been warned. Posted by: makom
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The anti-Christ? I thought Obama was a communist Muslim Hitler. I guess he's gotten an upgrade at Wacko Central.

Since when have Republicans EVER put their (our) money where there mouths are regarding our military?
Was it when they sent them to war in Iraq without proper body armor or properly protected vehicles and then continued to refuse this equipment when called out on it?
Was it when the Post revealed the utterly deplorable conditions in the hospitals for our veterans?
Was it when they decided it was just fine to send our veterans back to war 3 or 4 or 5 times without proper rest and recovery?
Was it when they decided that it was a whole lot better to pay private contractors enormous sums of money to fight our wars while refusing to raise the pay of our soldiers?
Republicans are "businessmen" and are always out to make a profit for their corporate sponsors and themselves.
And, as "businessmen" they have very effective advertising departments and p.r. people to sell their bogus product.
Republican support for our military is entirely bogus.

Spread the word people. The mark of the beast on your forehead is when you accept the Anti-Christ through blind faith. The mark of the beast on your hand is when you accept the Anti-Christ through gifts. People Obama is the Anti-Christ that you have all read about. You have been warned. The future is not set and can go in two very different directions. Get involved and help stop this massive take over.

I have GOP friends that think using funding for our fighting men is untouchable for any reason, let alone to slow down a health care bill. I happen to agree with them as do most Americans. They are seriously mis-reading the public thinking this won't affect the 2010 elections.

This is the bill to which the COBRA healthcare subsidy for the unemployed is attached. Thanks to our hard working politicians for putting aside their petty partisan politics in favor of doing what's in the best interest of the American public during these difficult times. I hope my sarcasm is coming through loud and clear.

Who cares? It's all an elaborate Kubuki Dance by the Democrat's and Republican's, anyways. Not one of them gives a rats behind about anything other than feathering their own nest. What I fail to believe is that anyone out there has the slightest shred of trust or hope in our "leaders". Obama and the Democrat's have presided over the largest raid on the U.S. Treasury in this nations history and they aren't done yet. Our sons and daughters, thousands more, are going to DIE because some ratbag corporate piece of filth can make money off it. It is now quite clear that during the last election we merely replaced a collection of Texas bandits with a new group of CHicago gangsters. This country isn't worth defending under the present two party system.

The extreme levels of military spending is one of the worst wastes of tax dollars in history. It if was cut 1 to 2%, most problems could be remedied. I believe it should be cut 5 to 10%. We cannot carry such a bloated system any longer.

I'm a liberal Democrat, so the Democrats in the Senate did the good thing in getting a cloture to block the obstruction the Republican party in the Senate is doing; they're doing it because they're playing politics. Good thing the defense bill is advancing and that the important health care is also advancing. Health care is a right, no exception.

Now I am on the side of the Repubtards for doing the right thing. We do need to reduce defense spending.

The military is a socialist structure. A team, working in concert for the good of one another. While that is fine, but we need additional funds to help people from dying becuase they lack health care. Why say you feel bad about 3,000 deaths on 9-11, when you actually promote 45,000 detahs annually from not having health incsurance?

The socialism in the military should lead the way to better health care for all.

"The Majority Leader has signaled that he will finally unveil the most significant piece of domestic legislation in modern history some time on Saturday -- and force a vote in the middle of the night about 36 hours later," said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)

"This is outrageous."

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Easy enough to handle ... don't show up to vote. That will teach Harry a lesson.

AugustWest1 wrote:
"The Party of NO has no problems playing politics with our brave troops. Some would even call their actions traitorous. They can't help themselves as they believe in the GOP first, the US second, if that."

For 8 years the US Congress gave Bush/Cheney a blank check on spending while lying and saying it was for our troops. The money went to the Taliban, kick backs, contractors, bribes and pay offs. Nothing went to the troops as they died because of lack of equipment. I had to buy my son his bullet proof vest because our Govenment didn't pay for them. My son got the cost of his cleaning and meals taken out of his salary while fighting in Iraq. No raises were given but our Law Makers made sure they got theirs. Many of our troops died from poor/no equipment and bad contractors work. But pushed out in the Headlines is We Support Our Troops. Now the GOP is blocking equipment so the current soldiers and the 30,000 we're sending are going to die. What a country as we don't need the terrorist to kill our brave soldiers we will do it ourselves and still use the lip service remarks WE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS. No wonder Americans wont serve in the Military nor will Law Makers let their kids join in the service to our Country.

For all you weak minds who slurp up the democrat B.S. you might want to take some time to learn just what the corrupt democrats in the White House and Congress are up to.
They are trying to rush through the most gigantic power grab in the history of this country.
If you're too stupid or lazy to understand that, too bad. You probably deserve what happens if they succeed.
The Republicans aren't against the defense bill. They're aginst the shenanigans the democrat slugs are trying to pull, and they're doing everythig they can to delay it. The defense bill will get pased eventually.
The more Americans learn about these leftist slugs, and their disingenuous legislation, the more they're against the legislation too.
Wake up!

I don't trust Vitter. Vitter's wife can't trust Vitter. Now our troops can't trust Vitter. I guess Vitter is just another one of those little boys who can't stop playing with himself ?

Remember McCain also voted against the last G.I. Bill. Some war hero he is, huh ?
More is to be revealed about phony McCain too which will blossom in the next election no doubt and so help me God.

But in the meanwhile, you all pretend you are outstanding citizens and public servants while ignoring most of the Public and watching yourselves on Fox News. And hey, Rubert don't care about Conservative ideals, more controversy more revenue, simple.

Just tools and toys for the Gawds. I do believe your own personal Apocalypse has started, "Give them according to their deeds", hahahahaha, CYA !!!

this is going over very well at the local vfw and american legion. they are trying to get in on the frontpage of our local paper, should be frontpage of every paper in the country.dont come hear loking for a republican vote anytime soon.

I am appalled that the GOP would deny our troops the vital support they need during a war. This is tantamount to treason! They can try to paint this vote some other way but it is clearly a lack of support for our military. They put partisan politics ahead of our brave men and women who put their lives on the line in defense of our very liberty. This is the same party that would not provide body armor and vehicles armored to protect agains IEDs. As a veteran I find the GOP's vote disgusting!

This affair of attempting to block funds for our troops deployed in Harm's Way ought to be an eye opener as to the ZEAOLTRY displayed by the dysfunctional and immature Republican herd of the Senate. With zealots likes these, who needs enemies. These people are completely insane, out of check-n-balance and classically disturbed. I told you they are ZEALOTS, do you believe me now ?

The Party of NO has no problems playing politics with our brave troops. Some would even call their actions traitorous. They can't help themselves as they believe in the GOP first, the US second, if that.

Further proof, that the jingoistic, uber-patriotic rhetoric by the republicans is just that, empty rhetoric. The republicans/conservatives don't care about human lives, concerning military operations nor domestic welfare. How can anyone support a party whose ultimate goal is political gamesmanship to keep the status quo? Democrats are not much better, being to spineless to hold up to their ideals. Negotiating like a bunch of dithering do-nothings.
People who support this type of buffoonery need to really look at what they are contributing too. This is the type of crap that makes government so inefficient, in particular the Senate. At least this debate on health care will hopefully open the eyes of the aveage lay person to realize how Senators have become the House of Lords and that this so-called aristocratic bunch believe they can play games while people are dying here and abroad. They have totally forgotten that they are supposed to be representatives of the people.
I suggest starting a movement for a total recall of the Senate of Both Republicans and Democrats.

"...complain about Al Franken shutting down leiberjew's attempt to continue obstructing the healthcare "
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Not to mention that McCain did the EXACT SAME THING to a Senator in 2002 during the iraq war debate in congress. The guy spoke for one minute and thirty seconds and asked for thirty seconds more, McCain: "I object"

"Republicans believe the obstructionist charge will be more than outweighed by their argument that Democrats are rushing a vital bill through the Senate with little scrutiny."

Republicans have proven themselves incompetent and grossly irresponsible when handed the reigns of power. This bill has been getting diluted week after week trying to get some sort of bi-partisan agreement and it's going nowhere because they refuse to assist in actually governing for what the people want.

After it gets through the filibuster hurdle it will get reconciled and reform will likely be put back in where these traitors will be forced to vote "for" or "against" reform. Voters will destroy those who oppose progress if the final version available for an up/down vote is strong.

Not even a mention here of the quiet extension of the USA Patriot Act, a draconian measure that has been and continues to be misused in an ideologically-driven witch hunt and social genocide of American society -- directed against good citizens smeared as "dissidents," or slandered as undesirables or "enemies of the state."

This most recent appeasement by the Democrats to the "dark side" represents another broken promise of candidate Obama to restore civil and human rights after an eight year Reign of Terror that eviscerated the U.S. Constitution.

Where are the defenders of civil liberties in America? How come the groups like the American Civil Liberties are so silent in the Patriot Act's renewal? Where is the outrage? Has the high-tech psychological "entrainment" of our nation's leaders succeeded?

Further proof, that the jingoistic, uber-patriotic rhetoric by the republicans is just that, empty rhetoric. The republicans/conservatives don't care about human lives, concerning military operations nor domestic welfare. How can anyone support a party whose ultimate goal is political gamesmanship to keep the status quo?
People who support this type of buffoonary need to really look at what they are contributing too. This is the type of things that makes government so inefficient, in particular the Senate. At least this debate on health care opens the eyes of the aveage lay person to realize how Senators have become the House of Lords and that this so-called aristocratic bunch believe they can play games while people are dying here and abroad. They have totally forgotten that they are supposed to be representatives of the people.
I suggest starting a movement for a total recall of the Senate. Both Republicans and Democrats.